Month: September 2021

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: A’s Future Uncertain as 2021 Season coming to an End

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Oakland A’s team president David Kaval says he was startled when he learned that the Alameda County Council would not vote on tax revenue for the A’s infrastructure and Kaval said it appears to be a no go (file photo Mercury News)

A’s Future Uncertain as 2021 Season coming to an End

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

That’s Amaury Pi-González

The 2021 season is soon coming to an end. The hopes of the Athletics advancing into the playoffs are still depending on the last 30 games or so, when it all will be decided. But the future of the A’s in Oakland might not be decided in the next 30 days. That seems more unclear.

The latest: Alameda County said it is not ready to deliver a vote this month of September. Without their vote (County of Alameda) and their share of taxes revenue, the Oakland city officials have said that not enough money would be generated from the city’s share alone in order to cover the infrastructure costs. The County wants the City of Oakland and the A’s to agree before.

The vote is now delayed or maybe it will never take place. Dave Kaval, President of the Oakland A’s who has now been involved in this endeavor for years said: “We have been speaking to the County of Alameda and we are trying to do our part” “At the end of the day it’s a binary decision. They will be involved or not” and added as he received the letter. “I was startled to receive that and it appears it’s a no go”.

Kaval continues to say that the Athletics organization is working in two different plans, the one to keep the A’s in Oakland and continuing researching a location for the team in Las Vegas. Back in April (when the baseball season was just starting) the A’s asked the city to create two infrastructure financing districts. Both together include pedestrian bridges, traffic upgrades for fans to make it to the ballpark. As well as a village for 3,000 homes, hotels, offices, performing arts space for parks.

From these plans the Oakland A’s were counting on getting reimbursed $844 million over 45 years in bond money for all the infrastructure they would pay upfront. Libby Schaff, the Mayor of Oakland, recently said (for? times) she believes the team will stay in Oakland.

So…around and around it goes, where does it stops nobody knows.

Historical note: Back in the 1930’s, when radio was king, a young 22-year old actor by the name of Orson Wells was the star in The Shadow, an iconic radio show where Well’s was a Super Crime-fighter. A very famous and quotable line from the show: “Who knows what evil lurks in the heart of men. Only the Shadow knows…”

Giants break losing spell with 5-1 win over Milwaukee, enter showdown with LA tied atop the NL West

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By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–Big moments against the best performers. If you’re a San Francisco Giant, this is your official welcome to September baseball.

Darin Ruf had his moment first. With the Giants in a tense, and speedy 1-1 tie in the eighth inning, Ruf delivered a two-run double off Devin Williams, a lights-out setup man for the Brewers, who hadn’t allowed a run of any kind since June 23.

Six pitches after that, Thairo Estrada joined Ruf in the baseball cauldron by delivering a three-run homer that iced a 5-1 win for the Giants. That blast was only the fifth allowed by Williams this season, and the first to a right-handed hitter.

“The boys came hot late,” starter Logan Webb said. “It was fun to watch.”

Fun to watch, and absolutely essential. The win broke a four-game slide for the Giants, and allows them to enter Friday’s showdown with the Dodgers in a dead heat atop the NL West at 85-49. 28 games remain in the season, and only the next three are between the two, hated rivals. That means a lot of scoreboard watching and divided attention to come for the rest of the month.

“It’s a good boost of confidence going into the next series, but obviously, all of our attention and focus was on today’s game,” manager Gabe Kapler said.

The Giants were locked into a pitcher’s duel through seven innings with Webb, arguably the NL’s hottest starting pitcher dueling with Milwaukee’s unheralded Eric Lauer. Lauer allowed three hits and struck out four, with Austin Slater’s first pitch of the outing home run as his only blemish. Webb had sliders darting in and out of the strike zone for seven innings like clockwork, striking out 10 in a dominant outing in which he only allowed Jace Peterson’s RBI single in the fourth.

But by the eighth, both starters were gone, and both teams were scratching for a win as hard as they could.

The Giants caught a break when Kris Bryant was initially called out trying to steal second base, but a replay that needed all the looks and angles possible, reversed the call. After Brandon Belt drew a walk, Ruf struck with his lead-providing double, and Estrada left his mark as the next batter. Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell sat through it all–the replay and the meltdown of his top reliever–but remained philosophical.

In the end, I think they got that call right,” Counsell said. “When a guy that’s 75 feet away from the call gets the call reversed, it’s just a little suspicious. So that was my argument, but they got it right.”

The Giants open the series with the Dodgers on Friday with Anthony DeSclafani facing David Price.

A’s hang on to beat Tigers 8-6; Attempted Detroit rally in 7th fails

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Oakland A’s Jed Lowrie goes deep for a three run homer in the top of the third inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica in Detroit on Thu Sep 2, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s scored early and often as they raced out to an early 8-0 lead over the Detroit Tigers. Their ace, Frankie Montas, pitched well until the seventh inning. The Tigers, down 8-1, sent nine men to the plate in the seventh and put five runs on the board to close the gap to 8-6. Andrew Chafin and Sergio Romo were able to shut down the Tiger offense to secure the win.

Here’s how the A’s won the game. The Tigers sent Matt Manning to face the A’s. The young man from the Sacramento area had his hands full as the A’s put four on the board in the first inning. With one out Manning walked Starling Marte.

He retired Matt Olson for the second out. Matt Chapman worked manning for a walk to put men on at first and second. the next hitter, A’s DH Jed Lowrie, one of the best hitters in baseball with runners in scoring position, hammered Manning’s pitch over the wall in left-center-field to put the A’s ahead 3-0. It was Lowrie’s 14th homer of the year. The next hitter, Mark Canha, blasted his 14th dinger of the year into the seats in right-field. The A’s led 4-0. 

 In the top of the second inning, with two out and a man on first, Starling Marte doubled off the wall in left field to make it a 5-0 game. The A’s offense was relentless. In the top of the third, with two out, Manning walked Canha. Tony Kemp followed with a single to center.

A’s catcher Yan Gomes long fly to left-center-field went over Robbie Grossman’s glove for a double. Canha and Kemp scored on the play to the A’s in the driver’s seat 7-0 after three complete. 

In the fourth inning, singles by Matt Olson and Matt Chapman put a runner in scoring position again with two out. The A’s sent Khris Davis to the plate to pinch-hit for Jed Lowrie. Davis was making his first appearance since being recalled from Las Vegas. Davis sent the ball into the left-field corner for a double to drive in Olson with the A’s eighth run of the game.

The A’s starter, Frankie Montas, was masterful for the first four innings of the game. He held the Tigers scoreless and allowed one hit. Things began to change in the fifth. Tigers’ third baseman Harold Castro, who had three hits, including a home run Tuesday night, led off the bottom of the fifth with his third home run of the year. The A’s still had a commanding lead 8-1.

Then came the fateful seventh inning. The Tigers sent nine men to the plate as they scored five runs on five hits, including two home runs. Tiger shortstop Niko Goodrum worked Montas for a walk to get the rally going. Second baseman Willi Castro hit into a fielder’s choice for the first out.

Montas retired Victor Reyes on a fly ball to Marte in center-field. The next hitter Montas faced was Akil Baddoo. Baddoo also homered Tuesday night. Baddoo ended Montas’ game when he hammered his twelfth homer of the year to make it 8-3.

A’s manager brought in Deolis Guerra to pitch. Guerra, who has been very good all season, could not get the job done. He pitched to four hitters and could not get an out. He gave up singles to Jonathan Schoop and Robbie Grossman.

Jeimer Candelario then homered to make it an 8-6 contest. Melvin let Guerra face one more hitter, Eric Hasse. Hasse singled. Melvin brought in lefty Andrew Chafin to put out the fire. Chafin retired Harold Castro for the final out.

Chafin allowed a hit in the eight but escaped unscathed. Bob Melvin called upon Sergio Romo to close out the ninth. The veteran reliever gave up a walk but was able to get the needed three outs to secure the win for Oakland by a final score of 8-6.

Game Notes and Stats: The A’s picked up 1/2 game on the idle Houston Astros. They now trail the Astros by four and 1/2 games for the A: West division crown. They can pick up a game on the Red Sox if Boston should lose to Tampa Bay later today. If Boston wins, the A’s will remain two games behind in the Wild Card race.

The A’s had 12 hits in Wednesday’s game. It was the third game in a row with more than ten plus hits. They had two more home runs on Wednesday and seven for the series. Their line was eight runs, twelve hits, and no errors. Khris Davis had a double and a single in his first game back as an Oakland Athletic. Yan Gomes and Elvis Andrus each had two hits.

Frankie Montas won his 11th game of the season. He is now 11-9. Sergio Romo picked up his second save.

The Tigers’ hitting stars were Jeimer Candelario, Victor Reyes, and Harold Castro. In the seventh, Candelario’s hit a three-run homer to help Detroit close the gap to 8-6. Reyes had three hits in the game. Reyes tripled in the third. He was thrown out attempting to score on a grounder to shortstop Elvis Andrus. Andrus’ throw him was on the mark, and Reyes was out. Manning was the losing pitcher, and his record is now 3-6.

The A’s are on their way to Toronto to play three games against the Blue Jays. Sean Manaea will go for Oakland, and Toronto will counter with Alek Manoah. The game will start at 4:07 pm.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: A look at what turned a winning club to a struggling club

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San Francisco Giant Donovan Solano who pinched hit and played shortstop on Tue Aug 24th in his last game before going on the Covid IL against the New York Mets at Citi Park in New York will be finishing up his quarantine in a New York hotel and could be joining the Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco this weekend during the Los Angeles Dodgers series (file photo from aroundthefoghorn.com)

On the Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 Michael, After losing four straight games and the first three games of the four game series to the Milwaukee Brewers the San Francisco Giants saw the Brewers on Wednesday night score in the earlier innings and the later innings meaning two in the second and two in the top of the ninth in a 5-2 three run loss.

#2 The loss also meant that after having the best winning record of 108 days since May 30th the tide has turned and the Giants who were in first in the NL West have slipped to second behind the Los Angeles Dodgers by a half game.

#3 Manager Gabe Kapler is not in panic mode but did say after last night’s game that he wants a change in position how concerned after going .500 losing five of their last ten does Kapler have to be.

#4 The Covid situation has snake bitten the team, could you update us on the status of the Giants Covid 19 Injured List consisting of pitcher Alex Wood and Johnny Cueto who returned on Wednesday, and Donavon Solano and hitting coach Justin Viele who are wrapping up their seven day quarantine in a New York hotel today. Also Evan Longoria took a cortisone shot how soon do you see his return?

#5 Michael if you had to put a finger on some the things that have gone wrong or what needs to be corrected for the Giants since they left the New York series last week losing two of three in Atlanta and coming back home and losing the first three games to the Brewers.

Join Michael Duca for the San Francisco Giants podcasts heard Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NFL Headlines podcast with Tony Renteria: Chiefs safety Mathieu’s breakthrough case; Colts players Covid-19 issues could cost team games

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Kansas City Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu has 24 hours to test negative before being allowed back before Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns after testing positive (USA Today file photo)

On NFL Headlines with Tony R:

#1 Kansas City Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu has been put on the Covid 19 list after testing positive. In what some call a breakthrough case Mathieu had been vaccinated. While the Chiefs have three other safeties at their disposal Mathieu has 24 hours to test asymptomatic twice within that period to be eligible for Sun Sep 12 game against the Cleveland Browns.

#2 Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said that everybody should get vaccinated. Ballard talked about his players who are not vaccinated. Quarterback Carson Wentz, center Ryan Kelly, and receiver Zach Pascal came into a Colts staff member who was positive and all three have been place on the Covid 19 list.

#3 Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has received the confidence of Dolphins head coach Brian Flores. Tagovailoa has been floated as a possible trade to the Houston Texans and has said he does appreciate the support from Flores.

#4 Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Moriota is set to receive $10 million this season just to sit on the bench as a back up behind starter Derek Carr. Moriota could have got a deal worth up to $20 million plus incentives but will stay in Vegas as no other team is will to pay that price and the Raiders would like to wait to restructure Moriota’s contract.

#5 The San Francisco 49ers quarterback situation has been the all the talk as head coach Kyle Shanahan plans to start quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and insert back up Trey Lance in mid series plays. It did throw the Raiders off in last Sunday’s pre season game it could do the same in the regular season.

Join Tony Renteria for the NFL podcast each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Cabera and Tigers take frustrations out on A’s in 8-6 win

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Oakland A’s pitcher Frankie Montas (47) will get the start against the Detroit Tigers Thu Sep 2, 2021 at Comerica Park in Detroit (sfgate.com file photo)

#1 The Detroit Tigers (63-71) Miguel Cabrera who became baseball’s 28th player to reach the 500 home run list hit his 502nd home run on Wednesday night at Comerica Park Cabrera a worthy opponent. Cabrera’s homer help lend to the Tigers victory over the A’s on Wednesday night 8-6.

#2 Jerry, how important is it for the A’s to have called up Khris Davis from Triple A Las Vegas who joins the team who hit .157 with the Texas Rangers before joining the A’s farm team in Vegas?

#3 Davis struggled quite bit as you recall last season when he was with the A’s and hit .157 with the Rangers do you see a big difference at the Triple A level for Davis and when he was hitting with the Rangers.

#4 Davis if things work out as the A’s plan could be a shot in the arm for the A’s offensively and their looking for Davis to add punch in the middle of the line up.

#5 The A’s will be going with starter Frankie Montas (10-9 ERA) and for the Tigers Matt Manning (3-5 ERA 5.46) for the conclusion this three game series this morning.

Join Jerry for the A’s podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants lose again to the Brewers, 5-2, fall behind the Dodgers in the NL West

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By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–After 115 days, the Giants are looking up.

A fourth, consecutive loss on Wednesday night allowed the Dodgers to pass the Giants in the NL West standings, just one game prior to the final meeting between the rivals in 2021.

With the additional drama of determining the division winner, the series takes on even more importance. But first, the Giants get one more opportunity to figure out the Brewers.

“Any time you have a little losing streak, it’s not fun,” catcher Buster Posey said. “This group’s shown an ability to bounce back throughout the year and that’s just what you have to believe you’re going to do.”

MIlwaukee jumped to a 2-0 lead in the second on Lorenzo Cain’s RBI hit that scored a pair of runs. Then with the score tied 2-2, the Brewers took advantage of the Giants’ bullpen with a run in the seventh, and two more in the ninth. Dominic Leone, who has been dynamite for the Giants pitching in setup roles, allowed a walk and an infield single in the seventh inning and took the loss.

The Giants’ offense managed eight hits–four of them doubles, two of those from Kris Bryant–but couldn’t come up with the big hit at any juncture along the way. They finished 2 of 14 with runners in scoring position, and also saw Lamonte Wade Jr. crush a ball in the eighth that looked like a game-tying home run but fell short for a table-setting double. Reliever Jake Cousins escaped damage when with two runners on, he struck out Austin Slater and got Thairo Estrada to ground out to end the inning.

Starter Kevin Gausman was effective, departing in a 2-2 tie after five innings. Gausman allowed just four hits and a walk while striking out seven. Five relievers followed Gausman, with Leone the tough-luck loser, and John Brebbia the only one of the quintet that got roughed up. Brebbia pitched the ninth, allowing Cain’s lead-extending home run, and Wily Adames’ RBI double.

While the Giants have slumped, the Brewers have soared, moving 30 games above .500 for the first time in more than 10 seasons. Milwaukee has a huge lead over Cincinnati in the NL Central, and is on track to best their franchise record with 99 wins on the season. They also are a dark horse candidate to sneak in and steal the NL’s best record from the Giants and Dodgers, which would put a new spin on the post season matchups.

The Giants have been hit hard in this stretch by injuries with Evan Longoria again out with a hand issue, and Johnny Cueto–Tuesday’s starter–back on the injury list for the third time. Also, Tommy La Stella is unavailable, and Wilmer Flores departed Wednesday’s game with a left hamstring injury.

Regardless, the Giants will have to answer the questions. In their most critical stretch of the season–10 games against the Brewers, Braves and Dodgers, they’re 1-5 against three teams that will undoubtedly comprise their two post-season opponents prior to the World Series if they get that far.

“I think now is the right time to really show a sense of urgency, continue to dig in on our process, but also not to have any panic,” manager Gabe Kapler said. “There’s no need for that.”

The good news? The Giants’ battle back up in the standings has an obvious path with Logan Webb–arguably the hottest pitcher in the National League–due to start Thursday afternoon against the Brewers. Webb has captured seven, consecutive decisions and allowed just six earned runs in his six starts in August.

And the pressure? If Webb falters, the Giants fall back to Anthony DeSclafani in the opener of the Dodgers’ series on Friday, and DeSclafani has had no success against the Dodgers this year, losing three decisions and allowing 22 earned runs in the process. Consecutive losses would put the Giants two games back with 27 remaining, increasing the doubt and the urgency.

On Thursday, Webb will be opposed by Milwaukee’s Eric Lauer, who has a 4-5 record with a 3.61 ERA.

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Baez might have trouble finding a new team after season; Cam Newton cut from Patriots

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The New York Mets Javier Baez scores ahead of the tag by the Miami Marlins catcher Alex Jackson for the winning run in the first game of a doubleheader at Citi Field in Flushing on Tue Aug 31, 2021 (AP News

On Headline Sports with Jessica:

#1 Javy Baez and Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets went from thumbs down to thumbs up after Baez and Lindor both apologized for giving Mets fans the thumbs down for booing them and the team in past games. Baez who got hit by a pitch which resulted in cheering from the Mets fans as Baez scored from first to home for the game winning run over the Washington Nationals 6-5. Jessica would it appear that Baez has redeemed himself?

#2 Mets team president Sandy Alderson said that the thumbs down gestures had to stop as Alderson had spoke to both Lindor and Baez before Monday night’s game to stop. They both apologized and Baez needed to do something to make up for his mistake and scoring the winning run is a good start.

#3 Jessica, will this hurt Baez’ chances to sign on for a new team and other teams who saw this will just move past Baez as Baez becomes a free agent in 2022.

#4 Jessica, turning to the NFL the New England Patriots released Cam Newton who in pre season threw for 14-21 for 162 yards, the Patriots will go for Mac Jones as their starter who was 36-52 for 162 yards. Newton was a Super Bowl quarterback when he was with the Carolina Panthers but lost in the Super Bowl, Newton said on Instagram regarding his release from the Patriots “don’t feel sorry for me I’m good.”

#5 Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyers said that he has weighed some of his cuts on the roster after the last pre season game based on unvaccinated and vaccinated players saying “Everyone was considered,” Meyer said. “That was part of the [considerations such as] production, let’s start talking about this, and also is he vaccinated or not? Can I say that that was a decision maker? It was certainly in consideration.”

Join Jessica for Headline Sports every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Tigers clobber three home runs in come back beat A’s 8-6 at Comerica

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The Detroit Tigers Miguel Cabrera watches the flight of his 502nd career home run in the bottom of the fourth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit against the Oakland A’s on Wed Sep 2, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

There was good and bad news in Wednesday night’s game between the Oakland A’s and the Detroit Tigers (63-71). The good news was the As’ offense produced ten hits and six runs. The bad news was the Tigers pounded out ten hits, including three home runs, to beat the A’s 8-6.

The Tigers’ starter Wily Peralta lasted four innings. The A’s scored an unearned run in the first inning and two more in the fourth to chase Peralta.

Starling Marte led off the fourth with his tenth dinger of the year. Matt Olson walked and scored on Jed Lowrie’s double to give the A’s the lead 3-1 midway through the fourth. The A’s starter James Kapielian went four-plus innings.

The Tigers tied the game 3-3 when they put two on the board in the third. Kaprielian walked Ronnie Grossman leading off in the bottom of the fourth. Kaprielian had to face future Hall of Fame player Miguel Cabrera. Cabrera showed the A’s his greatness when he sent a hanging changeup into the seats into the left-field seats to tie the game. It was Cabrera’s 502nd career home run and 2962nd hit.

The A’s regained the lead in the top of the fifth. Josh Harrison and Starling Marte singled to put two men on with no out. Matt Olson doubled to deep center-field to drive in both. Matt Chapman was retired for the first out.

A’s DH Jed Lowrie, one of the best hitters in baseball with men in scoring position, doubled to drive in Olson with the A’s third run of the inning. The A’s led 6-3.

The Tigers got one back in their half of the fifth. The Tigers’ left-fielder, Akil Baddoo, sent one of Kaprielian’s pitches into the right-field seats to make it 6-4. A’s manager, Bob Melvin, brought in Yusmeiro Petit to pitch. Petit retired the next three Tiger hitters. The A’s led 6-4 after five complete. 

The Tiger bullpen held the A’s to one hit and no runs over the last four innings of the game. The A’s bullpen could not hold the Tigers down. They scored one in the sixth, two in the seventh, and one more in the eighth. The Tigers win 8-6.

Game Notes and stats: The A’s are now 73-60 for the year. They remain five games behind the Houston Astros in the race for first place in the American League West. The Seattle Mariners beat Houston 1-0. The A’s now trail the Boston Red Sox by two games for the second Wild Card in the American League. The Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 on Wednesday.

The hitting stars for Oakland were Josh Harrison, Starling Marte, Jed Lowrie, and Matt Olson. Harrison had a double and two singles. He has six hits in the first two games of the series. Starling Marte had a home run and a single. Jed Lowries had two doubles and two RBIs. A’s reliever A.J. Puk was the losing pitcher. 

The hitting stars for Detroit were Akil Baddoo, Miguel Cabrera, and Harold Castro. Baddoo was two for four with a home run and a single. Cabrera, as mentioned above, had two hits. Cabrera hit his 502nd of his illustrious career to go along with a single.

He has 2963 hits and needs 37 to reach the 3000 for his career. Cabrera is 28th on the all-time home run list. He needs three to pass Eddie Murray. Tigers’ reliever Joe Jimenez received credit for the win. He is 5-1 for the year. Tiger closer Gregory Soto earned his 17th save when he set the A’s down in order in the ninth.

The teams will play the rubber game Thursday. The game will start at 10:10 am. The A’s will send Frankie Montas (10-9, 3.66 ERA) to the hill as Detroit will counter with Matt Manning (3-5, 5.46 ERA).